Cults and Society, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2001

By Hook or By Crook: An Ex-Member's Critique of ISKCON

Amy Williams (Sanandananda Manjari dasi) 

I have recently come from a close association with the Hare Krishna movement during the past two years.  I originally joined the movement 28 years ago in 1972.  After ten years of active participation, I left because of unhappiness caused by the corruption of the Vaishnava religion.  Two years ago, I returned to the neighborhood and actively participated in service to the temple.  I was persuaded that things had changed, but found that in many respects they had remained the same, and maybe have even become worse.

After telling AFF about what I deem to be a blatant conspiracy to deceive people by public relations specialists within the Hare Krishna movement, AFF invited me to write an article expressing my opinions.

What follows is a nine-point symptom/solution plan for the consideration of AFF and the Governing Body Commission (GBC) members of ISKCON and its public relations people.  I have used my personal list of cult symptoms to describe the behavior of the Hare Krishna movement and offer suggestions on how it might reverse this cult behavior and stop harming those who seek its spiritual guidance.

Symptom 1:  Much attention is heaped on new converts.  They are watched carefully to make sure their faith is not shaken by new discoveries or by reading alternative views.  Their freedom is forbidden.  Association with family members is also discouraged.

Solution 1:  New converts should be told from the first day that they will have complete freedom.  They should be informed that spiritual success depends on their freedom to explore all truths.  All members should be treated equally, not sheltered from the world they have just come from.  They need to be told that their success depends on their desire.  Leaders should not feel threatened by the possibility that the new member will leave.  Of course, some will leave.  Probably many will leave.  But this is the price that must be paid, if new converts are to be respected. 

Symptom 2:  Members are forced through intimidation to surrender all personal possessions, including vehicles, bank accounts, inheritances, etc. upon moving into the temple. 

Solution 2:  Renunciation cannot be forced.  New members should be required to put their personal possessions and other assets into "storage" or safekeeping with family members for a specified "second-thoughts" time.  After that time has elapsed, then members may donate assets to the temple or return to reclaim them for personal use. 

Symptom 3:  Cults use an "us-versus-them" philosophy, causing the followers to consider themselves better than everyone else.  The Krishnas, for example, call non-followers "karmis" in a condescending manner. 

Solution 3:  The Krishna movement should immediately halt their use of the word "karmi."  Although their spiritual master used the term, he did not do so in a condescending manner, which causes one to think oneself better than others. 

Symptom 4:  The leaders at the top of a cult do not allow their authority to be challenged in any way. Any dissent or questioning of the group's teachings is discouraged.  Criticism in any form is seen as rebellion. 

Solution 4: The members must vote the leaders in.  The leaders can submit their qualifications, then the congregation can consider these and take a vote.  Have we not seen that a democratic rule is the only practical rule?  Even in a democracy there is corruption, but maybe there is less corruption than in an organization where absolute power rules.  And most important of all here is that the original leader, the spiritual master of the Hare Krishna movement, is no longer alive to give unmotivated advice. 

Symptom 5:  Cults use intimidation or psychological manipulation to keep members loyal.  The lives of members will be totally absorbed into the group.  They will have little or no time to think for themselves because of physical and emotional exhaustion.  This is a vital part of the mind control process or thought reform. 

Solution 5:  Again, the cure of absolute freedom is necessary here.  Of course, if individuals were getting room and board from the temple, they would be expected to do their share of work and attend recommended classes.  Nevertheless, members need time to read and reflect and take care of personal needs. 

Symptom 6:  Members may be required to lie or steal for the good of the organization. 

Solution 6:  The leaders must stop this behavior immediately!  When I joined the movement in 1972, leaders told me that it is okay to lie or steal for the spiritual master.  They said that the spiritual master himself recommended bringing people to Krishna Consciousness by any means possible, "by hook or by crook." 

I could never understand how a pure soul could say such a thing!  For years classes were given on how to trick and cheat the public "by hook or by crook."  Although I deeply wanted the teachings of the spiritual master and scriptures, I could not believe what I was hearing.  I seriously avoided those people who employed such techniques in their effort to spread Krishna Consciousness. 

Only after leaving the movement in 1981 did I discover the real meaning of "by hook or by crook."  Ruling Pharaohs in Egypt held the symbol of a crook and a flail.  The crook is a hook.  The hook was used to bring in the Pharaoh's subjects.  The flail was used for punishment.  Since India was ruled by Britain for a time, they picked up some of the British clichés.  "By hook or by crook" was a common British saying.  It had nothing to do with cheating people or thievery. 

The solution to this "hook or crook" policy should be for leaders to admit their mistake in the use of the word "crook" and to make amends immediately to both their members and the public. 

Symptom 7:  Cults teach that one's salvation depends on belonging to the group.  Members are made to feel guilty and unredeemable, if they want to leave. 

Solution 7:  Members should be immediately informed that the leaders are in no way responsible for anyone's salvation.  Each person is responsible for his or her own spiritual success.  The group should be seen as a support mechanism only. 

Symptom 8:  Groups become divided into two:  those who follow the leaders without question and are known as "the loyal ones" and those who question authority and are known as "dissenters." 

Solution 8:  Everyone should be encouraged to question authority.  In fact, if the leaders were elected, this problem would never exist. 

Symptom 9:  Attempts to leave or reveal embarrassing facts about the group may be met with threats or psychological intimidation.  In classes and in informal discussions, dissenters are defamed and members are convinced that these people are demoniacal. 

Solution 9:  Again, with the implementation of complete freedom, election of leaders, and acceptance of responsibility by members, this problem would not exist. 

A serious student of religious cults, however, should understand that it is not only the leaders who are at fault here.  They could not lead if they did not have followers.  Most long-term members seem to have a codependent relationship with leaders wherein the members actually give their freedom over to these leaders to be abused. 

The Hare Krishnas say they are not a cult.  I wish this were true!  However, many innocent people have been hurt by their "hook or crook" mentality.  If they are at all serious about becoming a true religious group, they need to show it by their behavior.  They need to thoroughly examine the symptoms of a cult, which have been researched and studied for more than 25 years by sincere professionals.  Then they need to make the necessary changes today.